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Budget preserves park investments, keeps METS Micro operating while pausing some capital projects
Summary
Mayor and department directors described continued emphasis on neighborhood parks, a $1 million allocation for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $900,000 to maintain the METS Micro microtransit program; parks officials listed maintenance and small capital requests while administration paused larger projects amid budget tightening.
City leaders presented 2026 operating and capital plans for parks and microtransit that emphasize maintenance of existing services and selective investments while deferring larger projects.
Danielle Crook, executive director of Parks and Recreation, told the council the department maintains 46 parks and 22 special-use facilities across roughly 1,600 acres. The parks budget retains funding for neighborhood park improvements, turf and sports field work, playground replacements and modest park amenities. Crook said a $100,000 line for work-order tablets and a $50,000 request for HVAC or structural painting at Swaner Ice Arena are among items proposed in the parks CIP.
The mayor said the budget doubles the city’s allocation to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and specifically lists a $1,000,000 investment in the proposed 2026 budget. The mayor also told the council the METS Micro service remains funded at $900,000 to maintain current service levels; expansion to all neighborhoods is not possible under the current revenue picture.
Transportation staff said the city intends to continue METS Micro in existing service areas and is pursuing feasibility work for larger transit governance options. Mayor said the administration will take steps toward separating regional transit governance and ‘‘laying groundwork to explore a regional transit authority with our partners.’’ Todd Robertson, transportation services, noted METS Micro’s ridership growth from about 22,000 to more than 38,000 rides year-to-date and said staff are seeking partners and corporate donors to support limited expansions.
No formal council actions were taken; directors and the mayor said they will provide more detailed CIP page numbers and line-item clarifications before the council’s ordinance hearings.
